U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

On September 27, the Service, Bowie State University, Bethune-Cookman University and Alabama A&M University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), expanding opportunities for students to pursue careers in wildlife conservation. Post-signing activities on Bowie State's campus included a viewing of captive-reared adult monarchs, a meet and greet with an 18-year old screech owl named Red, and a tour of the Natural Sciences Building and the university’s greenhouse. Bowie State University, Maryland's oldest HBCU, is the first university in the North Mid-Atlantic to sign on to the agreement. Through this MOU, seven universities will work with the Service to recruit students from diverse backgrounds into conservation careers. Photos of MOU partners and Red the owl by BSU TV Greenhouse photo by USFWS

Named for the Delaware town where it was discovered, the Bethany Beach firefly is found only along the coast of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia in freshwater wetlands sheltered between dunes. But this rare firefly and its habitat are losing ground to intense storms and rising seas caused by climate change, as well as development. The Service has determined that the Bethany Beach firefly could face endangerment in the foreseeable future. We are proposing to list the species as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. We want to hear from you! We are seeking public comment on this proposal, as well as new information on the location of these fireflies. If you think you’ve seen a Bethany Beach firefly, we'd love to know where. Learn more:https://ow.ly/jKar50TzeJK

Biologists use many tools in the field, including camera traps set up inside of buckets to detect snakes. It's always exciting to see what wandered through and the variety may surprise you! Take a look at some of the cool sightings and surprises. 📷: Eastern massasauga rattlesnake (our target!), black bear, toad, raccoon, opossum, star-nosed mole, cottontail rabbit, striped skunk, hognose snake, black bear

This account Sept 30 🦋🐟🐿️🐢🐦 This account Oct 1 🕷️🐍🦇🐀🕸️

In May, a desert tortoise decided to lay eggs under a picnic table at Joshua Tree National Park and they hatched on August 28 (s/o to all the Virgo babies!). We worked with the park to relocate them away from the parking lot area and released them on September 13. They’ve been doing great ever since! By the way, happy #DesertTortoiseWeek! Celebrate Desert Tortoise Week near you: https://lnkd.in/gd_GzHfA Las tortugas del desierto son reptiles muy fascinantes. En mayo, una tortuga decidió poner sus huevos debajo de una mesa en el parque nacional de Joshua Tree National Park en California y nacieron las tortuguitas el 28 de agosto (¡saludos a todos los bebés Virgo!). Trabajamos con el parque nacional para colocar las tortuguitas en un área más segura, fuera del peligro. ¡Estamos felices de que les ha ido muy bien desde entonces! Por cierto, feliz semana de la tortuga del desierto: https://lnkd.in/gd_GzHfA   Footage of three desert tortoise hatchlings walking around and resting together by Kent Kowalski/USFWS, video by Rebecca Fabbri/USFWS; imágenes de tres crías de tortugas del desierto.

On this, the first day of October, we present to you one of our favorite orange animals: the regal ring-necked snake. At only a foot or two long and non-venomous, this beauty isn't spooky, unless you're another small snake (their favorite prey). Keep a sharp eye out at dusk in the desert southwest to see one for yourself. As always, be sure to always give wildlife enough space that you both feel safe. Photo: Jeff Servos/USFWS

We brought you a duckling. You're welcome. This ruddy duckling and its siblings were spotted at Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge in South Dakota. Ruddy ducks are diving ducks, meaning they dive underwater to forage for aquatic invertebrates and vegetation. Video: A ruddy duck foraging at Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge in South Dakota by Liz Julian/USFWS Video description: A duckling swimming and then diving under the water's surface.

What good are they? "Well, what good are you?" goes the famous quote about this fish. 🐟 Meet the Owens Pupfish: a small, blue, chubby, feisty, extreme, endangered fish. This fish is native to the Owens Valley in California and was recently celebrated in the newly-established Owens Pupfish Refuge within the Bishop Paiute Tribe’s Conservation Open Space Area. 🐟 Catch a new episode of Fish of the Week every Monday at FWS.gov or wherever you get your podcasts. This week, Brian Atkins, Environmental Director for the Bishop Paiute Tribe, and Menemsha Zotstein with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are guests on our episode about Owens Pupfish. Take a listen to learn all about this fish and the work being done to conserve it. 🐟 📷 California Department of Fish and Wildlife #AllTheFish

When you work as a refuge manager and a law enforcement officer for USFWS, sometimes picking up abandoned lobster traps is on your work BINGO card for the day. At Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Complex, abandoned lobster traps can be a hazard for both wildlife and humans on the beach. If the traps are properly tagged, the owners are contacted to come pick them up. If they are not tagged and damaged beyond repair, they are disposed of or occasionally repurposed. As a reminder, it is illegal for private citizens to remove lobster traps from the beach without proper approval, but beached live lobsters can be released as they cannot survive out of water! Thanks for making the beach a safer place for wildlife and humans! Photo by USFWS

The face you make when you are determined to get to fee-free day. Be honest, have you ever looked as intense as this least grebe? We need you to channel this bird's energy today, especially if you are headed out to any of the National Public Lands Day events. Today, Sept. 28th, all entrance fees are waived at federal public lands across the country. Most USFWS national wildlife refuges don't charge an entrance fee, but at the handful that do, those fees are waived. Put on your determined grebe face and stop by and see us! Photo of least grebe at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, by Scott Stoner (sharetheexperience).